BELEAGUERED Chester City football club is facing a fresh crisis over an alleged unpaid rent bill on its Deva stadium, it was revealed yesterday.

According to the city council, the club owes more than £46,000 in arrears, plus interest and costs.

A council spokesman said: "This is a substantial amount of money representing 0.7% of the annual council tax bill and we have a duty to all the people of Chester to collect it so we can provide the services they are entitled to receive."

He said the council, as the stadium's landlords, had issued proceedings against the club and their guarantors to recover the debt.

"This outstanding sum represents approximately two years' rent," he said.

The council move emerged as the Daily Post reported that the club could be facing bankruptcy after failing to pay a £180,000 tax bill.